Niagara Falls has taken a step toward hosting a Red Bull Crashed Ice event in 2014.

The province, through its Celebrate Ontario funding initiative, has pledged $350,000 to help the city host the event for a second time.

The city was host to the 2012-13 series kickoff for three days from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 last year and drew and estimated crowd of 35,000 to watch Canadian Kyle Croxall claim the title ahead of American Cameron Naasz.

“We’re a big step closer,” Mayor Jim Diodati said while cautioning that no confirmation has been received from Red Bull as to whether or not the tour would return for the 2013-14 season. “I was talking with the Red Bull guys (Tuesday) but we don’t have any confirmation.”

The funding was part of a large scale release by the provincial Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport.

“It’s good news the province is in,” Diodati said.

The Mayor said the January dates were chosen with the hopes weather will be more cooperative.

“We all agreed to moved it ahead to January when the weather is a little more predictable,” Diodati said.

Red Bull officials have not responded to an email from This Week asking for comment.

Swiss skater Derek Wedge claimed this year’s overall title with 2,650 series points, just 32 points ahead of Croxall.

Funding for Crashed Ice was not the only Niagara Falls announcement. The province kicking in $75,000 to help fund the South Asian Festival and Bhangra Competition scheduled for August 4 at Queen Victoria Park.